Vocabulary Word Jar and Comprehension Camp
While making connections with the characters, we will explore vocabulary, reading comprehension strategies, decision-making skills, and our artistic creativity while reading a chapter book that focuses on discovering new words in the world around us.
What's included
6 live meetings
5 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
In this 2-week camp, we will meet three times a week to discuss the chapter(s) the learners read independently and also read and discuss a chapter together. The main focus of the story will be vocabulary: using it, understanding it, and appreciating it. We will also make personal connections to the characters and ideas, practice strategies to assist with summarizing, discuss text features and the problem-solving strategy of asking others for help and respectfully using the ideas that are a good fit. Throughout the book study, the learners will be collecting words they find interesting and will create a way to store the words in a way that works for their needs. This will become an artistic project in which the students will work on a collection creation (an album, sew a bag, develop a dictionary, anything their creative minds can dream up... with some helpful advice from others, where needed). There will be a good mix of teacher and student-centered instruction. Kids are so creative, understanding, and intuitive. I love to listen in and be a part of their discussions! This book is a Level N (Fountas & Pinnell). It is a 3rd grade level, but also great for advanced 2nd graders. WEEK 1 Day 1 -Preview the book and discuss the vocabulary -Read Chapter 1 together - personal connections with the characters, compare and contrast - Begin Chapter 2 together- Discuss vocabulary, decoding, and using context clues. **Homework: *Begin word collection. Day 2: -Recall vocabulary and chapter headings -Summarize Chapter 1 -Continue Chapter 2: discuss strategy for skimming pages using text features -Read Chapter 3 together - Make personal connections and discuss problem-solving strategies. **Homework: *Read Chapter 4 *Continue word collection. Day 3: -Summarize Chapter 4: strategy for skimming pages using quotation marks -Read Chapter 5 & 6 together - Make personal connections **Homework: *Read Chapter 7 *Continue word collection. *Record home discussion ideas, begin creating a collection container. WEEK 2 Day 4: -Discuss collection container ideas. -Chapter 7 - Practice skimming chapters and summarize, make connections. -Read Chapter 8 together - Discuss characters, events, and make connections **Homework: *Read Chapter 9 *Continue word collection and making container. Day 5: - Summarize and discuss new characters and events from Chapter 9 -Predictions for the final chapter. -Read Chapter 10 and discuss thoughts on Donavan's final decision. -Learners choose their favorite vocabulary words from the book and discuss meanings; include words in tomorrow's game Homework: *Study Donavan's words from the book (their meanings and base words). *Create final collection container to share in class tomorrow. Day 6: Summarize the story. Learners share their collection creations. Play a vocabulary Kahoot! game.
Learning Goals
-Heavy focus on Vocabulary: reading it, understanding it, using it.
-Comprehension: making personal connections to characters and situations, summarizing, skimming strategies for recall and summarization, compare and contrast, using text features.
-Life skills: Problem-solving, learning from others, making decisions that are right for individuals, respecting others' opinions.
-Creativity project that directly correlates to the focus of the story.
Other Details
Supply List
Book: Donavan's Word Jar by MonaLisa DeGross ($5) Notebook or something similar to write word lists in each week. Materials to create a container to hold words (Materials vary based on the learners imagination and creativity. Example: jar, fabric, box, construction paper, etc).
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Book: Donovan's Word Jar, by MonaLisa DeGross
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have read this book with advanced small groups in my 2nd grade classroom for at least the last 12 years. Every student has expressed their enjoyment of this story and have been creative with their own "word jars". It is especially helpful for the vocabulary-reluctant writers who need a little inspiration to take their writing to the next level.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$75
for 6 classes3x per week, 2 weeks
55 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-11
3-8 learners per class